led, took keen hold, soon clear until before 4 out, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led 4 out, jumped left 3 out, soon clear, jumped left last, readily
held up in rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, one pace and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
This should be plain sailing for ZEROSHADESOFGREY, who recorded a couple of wide-margin victories at Uttoxeter last month and is held in high regard by connections. The danger may be point-to-point winner Border Breaker, who should be better suited by hurdles after three runs in bumpers. Kotkiri may still have a bit of scope but Byron Blue has already had 16 starts over timber while Titans Approach might do better in handicaps.
Byron Blue (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 28l behind One Track Mind (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway before 8th, led before 3 out, clear before 2 out, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Relentless Dreamer (11-5) by 16l, 5 ran.
Border Breaker (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 5f out, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Western Rules (11-2) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Kotkiri (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon no extra, 7th of 13, 34l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Titans Approach (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway after 8th, outpaced by leaders and no impression before 3 out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Ewings (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.